Salem Witch Trials Memorial

LeClerc Photo #1: Salem Witch Trials Memorial entrance sign (Dec. 7, 2015)

“I am no witch. I am innocent...” These were the words of Bridget Bishop, the first to be executed during The Salem Witch Trials. Today, we know she was telling the truth; however, for many people the truth came too late. In memory of those who died as a result of speaking the truth, I decided to visit The Salem Witch Trials Memorial.

My first photograph is of the Memorial’s entrance sign (above). On the right side of the sign in my photograph, there is a brief description of the trials. I was surprised when I read the beginning: “In 1692, nearly two hundred people in the Salem area were accused of witchcraft…” Before this, I never realized how many people were accused but not executed. Of the two hundred people, fourteen women and six men were killed. On the left side of the photograph above, there are names of the twenty men and women as well as information about the date and how they were executed, and where they lived. Some of the familiar names on the list are Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, and Giles Corey, but there were also some unfamiliar names on the list such as Sarah Good, John Willard, and Sarah Wildes.

LeClerc Photo #2: Sarah Good's stone (Dec. 7, 2015)

My second photograph is of Sarah Good’s stone. I learned that Sarah Good was a poor woman who often went by neighboring houses to ask for food and shelter. This behavior annoyed the Puritan town and made Good an easy target to be accused of witchcraft. She, along with Tituba and one other women, were officially accused by girls in the town. During Good’s trial, it was noted that one witness lied, yet Good was still found guilty of being a witch. On July 19, 1692, Sarah Good (who was pregnant at the time) was hanged.

The second name on the list of people who were executed that I was unfamiliar with. I researched John Willard. Willard was a deputy constable in charge of apprehending those accused of practicing witchcraft. He refused because he believed some people were innocent. Consequently, the town speculated that he protected them because he was one himself. Even his own wife’s grandfather believed Willard was guilty. On August 19, 1692, this false judgement caused Willard to be hanged.

LeClerc Photo #3: Sarah Wildes' stone (Dec. 7, 2015).

My third photograph shows Sarah Wildes’ stone, the third name that was unfamiliar to me. On the stone, there were some flowers and a note that read, “Sarah Wildes from Your Maine Relatives.” In my research, I discovered that Sarah Wildes was the second wife of John Wildes. John’s first wife Priscilla died in 1662. In 1686, Mary Reddington (Priscilla’s sister) spread rumors that Sarah practiced witchcraft. The town believed this because Wildes had been known to be “a bit wild” in her younger years. Interestingly, she was arrested for “lewd behavior” because she wore “a brightly colored scarf”. Despite her husband’s effort to stop the rumors, Sarah Wildes was hanged along with Sarah Good on July 19, 1692.

The deaths that occurred during The Salem Witch Trials highlight the harsh side of society. In fact, the trials could be summed up in one sentence: “Defendants were guilty until proven innocent.” However, this side of society should not be overshadowed by Good, Wildes, and Willard’s individual qualities. Each of them stayed true to themselves, persevered when society turned on them, and held out hope for a better outcome. For these reasons, we—as individuals and as a community—should continue to learn about the thoughts and behaviors of the accusers and the accused during The Salem Witch Trials, even after three hundred years.